Playdough

At 19, in the beginning of my early childhood journey, I took a course on curriculum planning. We were asked to make a sample lesson plan and put it into practice with a group of children.

I decided to make some play dough with the preschoolers I worked with. The children helped with the measuring, color decisions, mixing and kneading. At the end, the kiddos had a big ol’ pile of goodness that they created with for hours.

I was so proud, that is, until I turned in my project. The professor let me know that this did not meet her standards for a lesson plan. Despite the fact that I could meet all the learning objectives of the project(and more) it was seen as a play, and therefor frivolous.

It stung, but I figured she knew best because she was a professor and director of a well established preschool. I spent many years after that, believing children learned best through rote memorization, worksheets and frankly developmental inappropriate academia. Thankfully, I discovered the power of play and was able to let go of practices that don’t support children.

Nowadays, playdough is the lesson plan. They use it every. single. day. in ever evolving ways. The children help me make bulk amounts and have the freedom to use it how they see fit.

So I figured I would make a list, off the top of my head, of the many benefits I see from this awesome medium.

-creativity -sensory integration -fine motor skills -symbolization -large motor skills -social and communication skills -problem solving -measuring -patterns -tool use -small world play -color combination -agency -self regulation -numeracy skills -community service(we made and donated 30 jars of dough to families in need this holiday season) -story telling -curiosity -imagination -JOY

Heather Sunderland